Gender Equality Week 2025: Building a stronger Defence Team

September 22, 2025 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:15

The fourth week of September is Gender Equality Week in Canada. It is a time to highlight progress made to advance gender equality and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to closing persistent gender gaps that hold back too many. Gender Equality Week was created through the Gender Equality Week Act, which became law in 2018.

Although we have achieved gender equality in law, barriers remain that hinder meaningful participation of all peoples in defence and security. Gender Equality Week 2025 reminds us that progress requires sustained commitment if we want to reap the institutional and operational benefits that come with it.

Gender equality within the Defence Team

Work towards gender equality within the Defence Team means that Canadians see themselves represented and supported by the very organization dedicated to their protection. To support this vision, Defence Team leadership across the organization has been working to better understand the impacts of past and ongoing inequalities. For example, the Canadian Army created a pre-Primary Leadership Qualification (PLQ) training program for the Primary Reserve, open to all soldiers, but with a focus on the needs of women. It is flexible to needs of family and other commitments and helps candidates gain confidence and find solidarity. This has led to a higher success rate for all members. This example highlights how the removal of barriers for one group can create a more inclusive environment for all.

Women and Gender Equality Canada also selected the Defence Team’s River Class Destroyer Project as an example of a best practice in GBA Plus for the second year in a row. The River Class destroyer ship, formerly the Canadian Surface Combatant, used GBA Plus findings in the design and building of the ship. For example, GBA Plus influenced the ship’s layout and living areas to better support a diverse crew. This includes private and inclusive washrooms (known as “heads” and “wash places”), and work and living spaces that are accessible and ergonomic for all personnel, regardless of their gender or size. This kind of work results in a stronger and more ready team to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

As we reflect on Gender Equality Week and celebrate the work being done by the Defence Team to achieve gender equality, let us also consider how ongoing inequality impacts our workforce and the effectiveness of our operations.

Continued progress depends on the sustained momentum of removing barriers, ongoing support for integrating gender perspectives into our policies, programs and operations, and a commitment by each of us to foster an environment where every member can fully contribute.

Resources

• Gender Equality Week
• Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) — Women and Gender Equality Canada
• GBA Plus Defence Team Toolkit
• DND/CAF Implementation Plan for Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023–2029)
• Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations
• United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security